Farmhouse style fireplaces


21 Modern Farmhouse Fireplace Design Ideas That Are Seriously Cool

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21 Modern Farmhouse Fireplace Design Ideas That Are Seriously Cool

For a farmhouse, sprucing up your fireplace is a great way to make this architectural feature an excellent focal point for your space. Whether you want a simple approach or to make a bold statement, it’s important to get the styling right.

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Below, we have put together superb farmhouse fireplace ideas to inspire you.

1. Marble-Framed Fireplace With Gold Mantel

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The built-in blue-gray shelves provide an excellent backdrop, drawing attention toward the fireplace and completely framing it. All the other exquisite accents enrich this living room’s neutral and contemporary design.

In addition, the marble and the gold mantel work harmoniously with the space’s muted atmosphere while creating a focal point to accentuate the fireplace.

2. Exposed White-Washed Brick Fireplace Mantel

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The exposed white-washed brick fireplace mantel and the white shiplap wall above create a rustic and cozy vintage look. The framed words on top of the floating wooden shelf and other accessories add an element and a contemporary touch to the traditional farmhouse look. In addition, the black and white checkered couch complements the overall cabin look.

3. White Shiplap Wall with Wooden Mantel Over Electric Fireplace

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The white shiplap wall makes the black electric fireplace pop, making it the center of activity in the living room. The brown wooden hutch below contrasts nicely with the white wall, while the houseplant adds an element of nature to the look. In addition, the soft fluffy rug with black patterns adds texture and personality, creating a wonderfully rustic and modern design blend.

4. White Subway Pattern Fireplace Mantel with Decors 

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The white subway pattern fireplace mantel complements the hushed gray wall, making the black fireplace the living room’s centerpiece. The black iron screen guard fence contrasts with the white mantel, bringing a simple and elegant look. In addition, the hanging mirror and various décor fragments like botanical garland complete the space above the fireplace. 

5. White Fireplace Mantel With Wooden Beams in Ceiling

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The white sofa chairs were brought together with a rug and hanging light in the middle of the room to create a spotlight, making the fireplace the main focal point. The wooden beams on the ceiling complement the wood flooring, adding a rustic appeal. In addition, the indoor plants incorporate nature well into the farmhouse design.

6. Exposed White Brick Mantel Wal

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The exposed white brick wall mantel wall provides contrast against the neutral color scheme of the space, making the fireplace pop up. Decorating the wooden mantel shelf with anchors pieces like overlapping mirrors and candles adds texture and interest to the eyes. The decor’s height variations also help keep the eyes moving from piece to piece.

7. White Brick Fireplace Mantel With Raised Hearth

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The creamy white wall contrasts and makes the brick fireplace mantel pop out. In addition, the raised hearth serves as an architectural feature, creating a focal point to highlight the open fireplace further. The wooden accents and flooring with the decorative accessories like artworks bring the coziness of the rustic farmhouse style.

8.  Beige Mantel With Monochrome Color Scheme

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Dark brown built-in shelvings paired with the beige mantel create a beautiful contrast that spotlights the fireplace. The furnishings and other decors blend the monochrome color scheme and natural tones, creating an airy atmosphere for the living room. In addition, the wreath with the artwork adds the modern element with touches of nature.

9.  White Marble Fireplace Mantel and Neutral Color Palette

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The white marble mantel with grey veining highlights the living room’s focal point: the built-in fireplace. The gray walls make the living room spacious, while the furnishings with the same shades complement the neutral color palette of the space. The eye-catching features and decors also add plenty of texture, depth, and charm to the contemporary farmhouse design.

10. Rustic Wood Walls With Hanging Cone Fireplace

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The wooden walls and ceiling beams serve as architectural features that create a rustic vibe and add warmth to the area. The hanging cone fireplace, the room’s main focus, provides more depth and character. In addition, the glass windows allow plenty of natural light inside, making the space bright and welcoming. The combination creates a warm and inviting feel to the cabin-inspired farmhouse.

11. Rustic Wood Ceiling Beams and Freestanding Fireplace

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The creamy white walls create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The wooden ceilings beams and hardwood flooring pulls in the colors that helps balances the different architectural and decor elements together. The freestanding fireplace also serves as the center of activity in the room and provides height in the space.

12. Black Freestanding Fireplace and Indoor Firewood Storage

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The offset white wall contrasts with the black freestanding fireplace, making it shine as a show-stopping element in the farmhouse living room. The indoor firewood rack with chopped logs and wooden floor adds a rustic look to the minimalist and contemporary design. The two photo frames with height variations create a center of attention, and the potted houseplant brings a natural element. 

13. Bold Monochrome Palette

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The black wall with subtle mosaic patterns allows the black fireplace mantel with wooden hearth to complement the monochrome color palette. The white hanging frame makes a stark contrast against the black hue, creating a focal point in the room. In addition, the golden accents and rattan furnishings add visual appeal and sophistication to the timeless, contemporary farmhouse look.

14. Rustic, Cabin-Inspired Design

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The contrast between the wooden elements and the open electric fireplace creates a rustic, cabin-inspired design with subtle modernity touches. The chopped wood arranged on the racks and decors works well with the design aesthetic, adding warmth and coziness to the vibe. The fireplace hearth and wooden mantel also draw attention to the space’s main feature: the fireplace.

15. Nordic-Inspired Farmhouse Design

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The offset-white wall with touches of brown and black fosters a clean and warm minimalistic style. Using a bold black hue and a muted gray provides the decors and furnishings texture, enhancing the space’s modern look. The high vaulted ceilings with wooden beams also create the perception of spaciousness in the living room.

 16. Simple and Minimalistic Approach

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The decor elements are kept to a minimum, creating a simple and minimalistic approach. Using neutral hues like black, white, and gray with touches of the warm tones of wood create a traditional, rustic farmhouse style.

The contrast of the black freestanding fireplace against the white wall makes it the center of activity in the living room. The log hoop firewood rack with chopped logs adds to the subtle rugged look.

17. Modern Cottage-Inspired Design

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Floor-to-ceiling windows allow ample natural flow inside the living room and make the room look spacious. The black freestanding fireplace is complemented with black furnishings, adding character and sophistication. In addition, the wooden ceiling beams and patterned carpet adds personality and warmth to a modern, cottage-inspired interior design.

18. Clean, White Fireplace Mantel

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The white walls complement the white fireplace mantel and accentuate the open fireplace with a wrought iron diamond pattern screen. The hardwood floor and wood accents add warmth and a pop of color, breaking the domination of white in the space. In addition, the hanging television adds a touch of modernity, while the patterned curtains and carpet add texture and personality to the cozy, minimalistic style.  

19. Rustic, Cabin-Inspired Design with Unique Stone Fireplace Mantel

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The rustic wood walls and flooring creates a cabin-inspired living room, making the space look outlandish yet natural and cozy. The unique shape of the stone fireplace mantel with a wreath serves its purpose as the highlight of the living room, and the wreath on the unique mantel adds a greenery element to it. In addition, modern artwork on the wall adds subtle modernity to the atmosphere.

20. Neutral and Pastel Color Scheme with Marble Mantel

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The front-to-ceiling windows with pastel pink flowy curtains accentuate the living room’s height and spaciousness. The touches of neutrals to pastel hues create a light and simple, minimalistic style. In addition, the modern artwork above the marble mantel and the built-in fireplace adds elegance, while the garland adds texture and natural elements to it.

21. Exposed Red Brick Fireplace and Wood Accents

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The exposed red brick fireplace against the white backdrop wall intentionally attracts the eyesight to the room’s focal point. The bright orange couch adds a splash of color against the neutral color scheme of the space, while the wooden accents make the atmosphere rustic yet cozy and inviting. In addition, the modern artwork enhances the room’s design aesthetic and adds a visual appeal.

10 ways with rustic fireplaces |

(Image credit: Lucas Eilers)

Farmhouse fireplace ideas will make a worthy focal point for any space. At the center of a group of seating, a farmhouse fireplace should be as attractive a feature of the living room when the fire isn’t lit in warmer months as it is when the flames are dancing. And choosing the right pieces for the mantel is essential.

The top modern farmhouse ideas include strategies for the fireplace and below we have put together a wonderful selection along with advice from experts on mantel decor ideas for your farmhouse fireplace.

Farmhouse fireplace ideas from the experts

Using fireplace ideas to create supremely welcoming schemes is key among farmhouse living room ideas. But modern farmhouse style is a curated look that avoids crowded surfaces and eclectic mixes. Successful farmhouse fireplace ideas showcase carefully selected pieces in a well thought-out palette of materials for a result that’s serene.

1. Keep the color palette soothing 

(Image credit: Charbonneau Interiors)

Complement natural tones for living room fireplace ideas with decorative accessories in the same shades for an effect that’s relaxing. 

Nancy Charbonneau of Charbonneau Interiors explains of this room: ‘With wood elements and the reclaimed beams all throughout the first floor, we wanted to incorporate another element of nature in the family room, so we went with a stone-faced fireplace.’

With the TV located centrally, the long mantel accommodates decorative objects at either end, and they’re arranged on the shelves in the alcoves either side, too, repeating the hues of wood and stone.  

2. Turn up the contrast 

(Image credit: Future)

The pairing of black and white is typical. 'High contrast color is a hallmark feature you will see in many modern farmhouse ideas,' says Eric Ross, founder of Eric Ross Interiors. 

Consider it as a way to decorate your farmhouse mantel, too, pairing ceramics in white and black, or a softer charcoal. Think different textures as well, and objects of different heights to make a pleasingly shapely display.

3. Be prepared to go bare 

(Image credit: Lucas Eilers)

The style of a fireplace might mean it’s better to stick to decorating above the mantel only rather than placing objects directly on it.

Sarah Eilers of Lucas Eilers Design Associates explains why the mantel of this version was left undressed. ‘The antique marble fireplace is the perfect anchor to the tranquil art above,’ she says. ‘Embedding the mantel into the plaster wall as it would have been originally left little depth to hold accessories which works well with our design aesthetic to keep the space simple and edited.

4. Bring nature inside

(Image credit: Future / Claire Richardson)

Whether it’s part of a house actually located in a rural location or yours is a city home made welcoming with a farmhouse aesthetic, dressing the mantel with flowers and foliage brings the coziness of country style into a living room.

Choose architectural leaf shapes for the best effect, while white blooms will be sympathetic to a neutral color scheme. Set the display in front of a mirror and it’ll create a second view. 

5. Opt for elegance with a mirror

(Image credit: Lauren Ramirez)

To decorate your farmhouse mantel in classic style, use a mirror, as shown in this scheme from Lauren Ramirez . 

‘A fireplace is an obvious place for a mirror but a pair either side or in alcoves also work well,’ says Owen Pacey, antiques expert and founder of Renaissance London . 

‘Don’t be afraid of scale when it comes to choosing your mirror and do group them together in pairs, trios or clusters to make an impressive wall feature. And don’t concern yourself too much with finding exact duplicates as groups of the same era add more personality.’

6. Create a balanced effect

(Image credit: Lucas Eilers)

Opt for farmhouse fireplace ideas that create a display that’s balanced but avoids rigid symmetry. After all, these are room schemes that should feel welcoming rather than formal, and that draw on a contemporary aesthetic.

In this scheme by Lucas Eilers Design Associates , a group of candlesticks on one side of the rustic mantel is balanced by a vase with branches at the other. Both add appealing curves to the scheme in harmony with the room’s other details. Meanwhile, decorative fireplace tile ideas add decorative texture to the scheme.

7. Combine old and new

(Image credit: Creative Tonic)

Modern farmhouse style celebrates the historic and embraces contemporary design, and farmhouse fireplace ideas can echo this overall approach with antiques on display along with newer pieces.

‘Antiques are just examples of design that have stood the test of time,’ says Ottalie Stride, creative director at Fitzrovia, London-based interior design studio Albion Nord .  ‘By the very fact that they are 100 plus years old and could still work in a scheme, I personally find it hard to choose anything else. They add a sense of establishment and, when paired with more contemporary pieces, really add soul to a space.’

8. Go for glass on a farmhouse mantel

(Image credit: Future / Alun Callender)

Glass accessories can be a brilliant choice for dressing a farmhouse mantel. The lightness of its presence will help achieve the uncluttered feel that’s so crucial to making the look modern rather than traditionally rustic.

Try teaming glass with ceramics, or simply play with the shapes and heights of a group of glass pieces like candlesticks, vases and tealight holders for either end of the mantel. 

9. Complement a simple fireplace

(Image credit: Future)

Looking for farmhouse fireplace ideas for the simplest of designs? Take inspiration from this room which, rather than a mantel above the fireplace, has a rustic seat below with seat cushions adding a pop of color to what is a quite traditional fireplace ideas.

Hanging a picture above draws the eye, and if your fireplace is similarly modest in size, follow the example of scaling the artwork down to keep it in proportion.

10. Swap one picture for a group

(Image credit: The Cotswold Company )

While a single picture above the mantel is a great way to dress a fireplace, don’t dismiss the option of hanging a group of images instead. These are hung to reproduce the scale of a solo artwork, and bring in nature with their botanical detail.

A display of foliage at either end of the mantel completes the picture and brings more of the outdoors in, fostering the cozy atmosphere.

How do I decorate my mantel?

To decorate a mantel, consider the center first. A mirror is a traditional option that works as well in farmhouse style homes as it does in others, but you could hang a picture or even a group of them centrally instead. If the TV is above the mantel? In this case, it takes the place of the mirror or picture.

After that, you can consider the ends of the mantel. Aim to create balance but for a look with a contemporary aesthetic avoid a pair of matching objects. Single larger decorative pieces might be set against groups of three or five, for example, or one small group of objects against another.

Aim to use materials, finishes and colors found elsewhere in the room for a cohesive effect, and consider incorporating displays of foliage or flowers to bring a natural vibe to the space.

How do I choose a fireplace mantel color?

Generally, a fireplace mantel should be a neutral color that will blend in with the room. For a farmhouse style home, if you’re adding a fireplace, you can choose between an old version, or going for a new one sympathetic to the house.

‘It’s important to decide whether you would prefer a restored antique fireplace, salvaged from another property, or whether you would like to create your own based on your research of the property and the kind of look and feel you aspire to for your home or room,’ says Owen Pacey.

‘Restoration can be a hugely gratifying and challenging process, from sourcing to installation, but the result is a true piece of history amongst the fabric of your home.’

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, she’s specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G. She’s written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4’s flagship website, 4Homes, and Future’s T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Future’s Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others. It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator. 

Fireplaces in country style and Provence

One of the most important parts of village life has been and remains the hearth. It is he who maintains warmth and comfort in the house, gathering friends and relatives by the fire. However, today it is no longer a primitive, crude oven, suitable only for cooking. Increasingly, a fireplace becomes an element of the interior, which not only gives warmth, but also preserves the aesthetics of the chosen style.

More and more popular in recent years is the country style, also known as "rustic" (from the French rustique - "rural"). Since many city dwellers own houses in rural areas, fireplaces in this style are becoming more and more in demand. The growth of interest in it is explained by the desire of modern man to surround himself with naturalness, to get closer to nature. There are many varieties of country, varying depending on the characteristics of each country, but the invariably common features include ease of execution and the desire to get rid of excesses. nine0003

The design of the country fireplace implies simplicity of forms - pretentiousness and ostentatious luxury are alien to it. The materials used must also be natural - brick, stone, heat-resistant fireclay tiles, etc. In this case, the fireplace can be located both indoors and outside the house.


Country-style home hearth

Originally, rural stoves were used for cooking, and heating the house was, although useful, but a side function. Nowadays, with the universal availability of gas and electricity, few people think about using such a hearth in the kitchen. Today, fireplaces have become another element of the interior, and serve to create a cozy, warm homely atmosphere. nine0003


Installing a fireplace in a city apartment is not easy, since its construction is often associated with the need for redevelopment, or even completely rests on architectural restrictions. Therefore, the hearth is more typical for country houses.

The design of any fireplace includes three main parts: the portal (outer part), the firebox and the chimney.

For the portal, natural stone (often cobblestone) or brick is used, and the front surface is decorated with fireclay tiles (usually handmade). Plastering and subsequent whitewashing is a simpler option, but this does not mean at all that it is worse. The choice of decoration method depends on the overall style of the interior, and details that are unusual for it can disrupt harmony. nine0003

A more sophisticated design allows for a style called “Mediterranean rustic” – here you can find a specific form of a tent and marble lining. Often, such fireplaces are decorated with tuff, shell rock, sandstone and other porous materials. Their use allows you to shift the color scheme of the room towards warmer colors. In turn, the predominance of shades of red and yellow in the interior creates a more sensual atmosphere.

Country-style fireboxes and shelves

Regardless of the chosen style, the firebox of traditional fireplaces is made open. The material is usually cast iron or heat-resistant steel, but country music is characterized by the use of natural stone or brickwork. Refractory glass screens are becoming a frequent attribute of a modern hearth. This significantly reduces the risk of fire, but at the same time violates the rural style.

Important! The use of a fireplace without a protective screen is recommended only in cases where there is no risk of fire. The floor in front of the hearth must be covered with non-combustible material. It is also possible to install a fireplace on a special podium. nine0023

The distinguishing features of country fireplaces include a wooden mantel - unlike traditional stone mantels, it is made from a large section of wooden beams. Most often it is carved from oak wood, but can also be made from ash, beech or other woods. Like all other elements, the shelf should be extremely simple and natural - family photos and souvenirs in the national style will serve as decorations for it.


Outdoor fireplaces

A country house is almost unthinkable without the traditional barbecue or barbecue. The courtyard hearth will not only provide an opportunity to cook dishes “with smoke”, but will also gather friends and relatives around it, becoming a kind of living room in the air. In addition, a properly assembled fireplace perfectly retains and distributes heat, becoming a place of rest not only in summer, but also in the cold winter months.

Depending on the purpose, the shapes of outdoor fireplaces may also differ. It can be either a traditional grill for frying meat, or a more economical French gabeon. With proper design, even the simplest hearth, made in the form of a low well with a fire in the middle, will look good. You can also often find an outdoor fireplace not in its usual form, but as a combination of a brazier, a grill and a Russian outdoor stove into one whole. nine0003

Russian style involves the addition of a fireplace to the wall of a building (for example, a house or a bathhouse). Perhaps its erection in a garden gazebo, which will serve as additional protection from rain and snow. The masonry material can be stone (which has undergone special processing) or burnt brick. Like a home, a Russian-style outdoor stove is plastered and covered with whitewash. If we are talking about other subspecies of country music, the masonry is left untouched so that it retains its natural color. nine0003

Compared to home fireplaces, outdoor fireplaces have a simpler design. This is explained by the lack of need to adapt to the architecture of the room. And since there is no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning on the street, a straight pipe rising from the firebox is enough for the chimney. The most unpleasant thing that can happen to such a fireplace with poor masonry is that it simply will not flare up.

Special care must be taken to protect against precipitation. It can be either a simple umbrella roof around the chimney, or a full-fledged gazebo. It will also not be superfluous to take into account the peculiarities of the climate when choosing building materials - daily and seasonal temperature changes can adversely affect some types of masonry.


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